Every decade has had its share of notable movies, but when it comes to the 1950s, there were countless films that were not only popular, but changed Hollywood as audiences knew it. The 1950s offered up movies from various different genres that were trailblazers for the films that came after them, creating new trends and tropes that have still persisted today. But most of all, the 1950s movie scene left audiences with a handful of incredible actors and directors that have remained as some of the most influential and iconic figures of Hollywood to this day.

Due to the volume of movies released in the ten years that made up the 1950s, it isn't always easy picking the films that defined the decade. For the most part, these films were chosen based on their lasting legacy and what they brought to the movie scene upon their release. If they introduced a new iconic actor, inspired countless movies to come, or represented a greater trend within the movie world at that time, then they have been included on this list. These are films that audiences must watch in order to understand Hollywood and the 1950s.

12 Roman Holiday (1953)

Put Audrey Hepburn on the map

When audiences consider the greatest actors of the 1960s, one of the first names to come up is Audrey Hepburn. The doe-eyed British actress appeared in countless iconic movies, from Breakfast at Tiffany's to My Fair Lady. However, one of Hepburn's earliest movies, and one of her most memorable, came in the 1950s. Roman Holiday is a romantic comedy starring Hepburn as a European princess who becomes entangled with an American reporter while the two vacation in Rome. Though the reporter at first intends to get an exclusive interview from the princess, romance soon interferes. Roman Holiday is a staple of the 1950s because it is the movie that really launched Audrey Hepburn to new heights as an actor. Furthermore, her chemistry with co-star and icon Gregory Peck has made this rom-com last for decades.

11 Singin’ In The Rain (1952)

Reflected on the film industry

Another movie full to the brim with iconic actors is Singin' in the Rain. The musical stars Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, and Jean Hagen, although it isn't just the cast that makes this movie musical iconic. Singin' in the Rain delves deep into Hollywood's transition from silent films to what were then known as "talkies." In the movie, Gene Kelly and Jean Hagen have long been romantic leads in countless silent films, but when their next film is billed as a musical, Hagen's voice must be replaced with that of aspiring actress, Debbie Reynolds.

Aside from being hilarious, colorful, and impressive in its dance numbers, Singin' in the Rain is an early Hollywood movie examining the entertainment industry and its many changes, which did in fact affect real life actors. It is a smart, touching, and highly entertaining movie from the 1950s.

10 Paths Of Glory (1957)

One of the earliest anti-war films

A notably darker film to fill out this list is Stanley Kubrick's Paths of Glory. This movie's biggest claim to fame is that it came at a time when anti-war sentiments were not easily digested by audiences. Paths of Glory tells the story of a Colonel who refuses to carry out a deadly attack during World War I, and thus, protects his men from charges of cowardice in a court-martial. The 1950s was a decade still reeling from World War II, and was quickly ushered into the Korean War, and soon, Vietnam. In this way, Kubrick's anti-war sentiments were very controversial, but this is what makes the movie stand out from others. Kubrick portrayed the dread and helplessness of war so acutely that it was impossible not to be affected by what the soldiers were going through. For this reason, this movie remains a classic, even several decades later.

Paths of Glory was Stanley Kubrick's fourth ever movie.

9 Rashomon (1950)

The first Japanese film to receive international recognition

During the 1950s, Hollywood was dominated by American movies, however 1950 saw the introduction of an outstanding Japanese movie that was the first to be internationally recognized. Rashomon is a deeply dark and grim movie that follows the perspectives and testimonies of several characters as they parse out the murder of a man and the assault of his wife. Not only does this movie tackle a disturbing subject, but it also executes it in a way that was fresh and exciting for its time and genre. By exploring the biased perspectives of several characters, the movie showed just how impossible it is to examine a crime that lacks viable witnesses. All in all, Rashomon proved that non-American movies can stand out in Hollywood, and more than that, they can bring completely new stories to the table.

8 Some Like It Hot (1959)

Marilyn Monroe's best performance

Marilyn Monroe starred in a number of iconic movies throughout the 1950s but one of the best and most unique by far was 1959's Some Like It Hot. Take the plot, for example. After witnessing a mob hit, two musicians pretend to be women and join an all-female jazz band, where one man tries to win over the sultry singer, played by Monroe, and the other is courted by a millionaire. Where other 1950s movies shine because of their intense material or serious subject matter, Some Like It Hot wins audiences over with its witty comedy and incredible stars.

Monroe has a pivotal performance as the seductive Sugar, and it is even more important considering that it was one of her last movies ever.

Overall, Some Like It Hot is considered one of the best comedies of the 1950s.

7 All About Eve (1950)

An iconic feminist film

The first thing to know about All About Eve that proves its status as a staple of the 1950s is that it won a record number of Academy Award nominations at the time of its release. In 1950, it earned 14 Oscar nominations, six of which it won, including Best Motion Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. All About Eve stars Bette Davis as an aging Broadway star whose career begins to be threatened by an overzealous fan. Many feel that All About Eve is Bette Davis' greatest role, and notably, this is yet another movie that Marilyn Monroe appeared in. But beyond its outstanding performances, All About Eve is a movie that is well-crafted in its story and execution. Immediately after its release, All About Eve became a Hollywood classic, similar to Singin' in the Rain, in its ability to examine the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry.

6 Rebel Without A Cause (1955)

James Dean's most celebrated role

Another great actor of the 1950s was James Dean, who is remembered as a young talent who faced a tragic fate. Though he got his start in John Steinbeck's East of Eden, the movie that truly defined Dean as an actor was Rebel Without A Cause. Dean played Jim Stark, a troubled youth who moves to a new town for a fresh start but finds himself in trouble with a fellow classmate and his beautiful neighbor. Like most of the 1950s' best movies, Rebel Without a Cause has a cast of stars including Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo. But what really makes this movie stand out, of course, is its story. Rebel Without a Cause examines the violent and emotional struggles of being a young person during this particular time period. Many aspects of this movie continue to be referenced in the present day, including the intense car race and the scenes within the Griffith Observatory.

Damien Chazelle's La La Land has an iconic scene within the Griffith Observatory as an homage to Rebel Without a Cause.

5 The Searchers (1956)

One of the greatest Westerns ever made

Though much of the 1950s was defined by great comedy and tragedy, other genres still managed to stick out. In fact, John Wayne's The Searchers is considered one of the best Western movies of all time. The 1956 movie follows John Wayne's Ethan Edwards, a man on a mission to avenge his family members who were killed by Comanche warriors. However, when he discovers some of his family is alive, he sets out to save them. On his own, John Wayne represents the greatness of the Western genre, however The Searchers stands out in particular. Though it maintains the typical Western setting, The Searcher's greatest component is its main character, Ethan Edwards. His story is one of loneliness and desperation. Furthermore, John Ford's attempt to examine the racism of the West, though imperfect, is a welcome change during that period.

4 Seven Samurai (1954)

An iconic action masterpiece

Though Rashomon first introduced the idea that international films could make a splash in the United States, Seven Samurai gave this concept its legs. A Japanese movie released in 1954, Seven Samurai follows a samurai warrior who agrees to protect a village from bandits, and in doing so, teaches six others how to defend their home. Although Seven Samurai earned mixed reviews upon its initial release, it has since become one of the greatest movies of all time. It has a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The reason for this outstanding review is the fact that Seven Samurai has an engrossing story filled with interesting and realistic characters and action sequences that are consistently exciting and fresh. Despite its historical setting, Seven Samuarai captures the human spirit, no matter what decade a viewer is watching from.

3 Sunset Boulevard (1950)

A portrait of Hollywood

A movie that notably came out at the same time as All About Eve, and was consistently compared to it, was Sunset Boulevard. It is no surprise either that the two have been compared because their stories are quite similar. Gloria Swanson plays aging starlet Norma Desmond whose fame is coming to an end, despite her best efforts. In one last final push, Desmond hires a young and sly screenwriter to reignite her career, and though he believes he can manipulate her, he learns otherwise. Another similarity between All About Eve and Sunset Boulevard is that the latter was just as well-received as the former.

Sunset Boulevard is a portrait of Hollywood that is a perfect mix of noir and comedy. It is scathing and sardonic. And it is no surprise, as director Billy Wilder later went on to make Some Like It Hot.

2 Rear Window (1954)

One of Hitchcock's best

To finish out this least, it is absolutely necessary to discuss Alfred Hitchcock. The British director began his career in the 1920s, but arguably his best work occurred in the 1950s. Though there are several movies to choose from, one of the best of the best is 1954's Rear Window. The film follows a news photographer confined to his home in a wheelchair who begins spying on his neighbors and believes he witnessed a murder. Like all of Hitchcock's movies, Rear Window is bursting with tension, but really, this movie is a minute by minute display of anticipation and dread. Furthermore, Hitchcock succeeds at portraying the loneliness of the city and the loneliness of the main character. Even within a thriller, the director manages to include moments of comedy and romance to relieve the neverending tension.

1 Vertigo (1958)

Considered Hitchcock's magnum opus

What is considered to be Alfred Hitchcock's best movie, and therefore, is a pillar of the 1950s movie scene, is Vertigo. The movie follows an ex-cop who is afraid of heights, yet is hired to prevent his friend's wife from taking her own life. Like Seven Samuarai, Vertigo received lukewarm reviews upon its initial release, however, it was later ranked as Hitchcock's greatest masterpiece. The movie not only has an intriguing plot, but is also full of exciting filming tricks that make for incredible visuals. Though Vertigo is a bit different from what Hitchcock had previously done, every decade the film has received more and more praise. Its strangeness and its tendecy toward the unique prove that movies, and thrillers in general, can continue to be reworked with fresh and exciting ideas.